Who We Are

Founded in 1821, Gonzaga is a Catholic college preparatory school for boys in grades 9-12. Drawing its inspiration from the spiritual vision of St. Ignatius Loyola and the apostolic and educational tradition of the Jesuits, we offer a values-oriented and academically challenging curriculum to young men of diverse backgrounds from all over the Washington area.

Educating the Whole Person

Gonzaga’s rigorous college preparatory curriculum challenges young men to think beyond the classroom. Every day, our talented teachers inspire in our students a love of learning, expose them to new ideas and challenges, and instill in them a commitment to social justice.

Eagles Fly High!

With 41 teams in 17 sports, athletics play an important role in the lives of our students and our school community. The coaching staff at Gonzaga stresses competing with character—sportsmanship, teamwork, grit, and humility are just some of the values that the young men of Eye Street learn and experience through sports.

Beyond the Classroom

Through its diverse offerings in performing and visual arts, athletics, clubs, and activities, Gonzaga creates a unique environment where students have the freedom to discover and pursue their passions. Along the way, they forge bonds of friendship that last a lifetime.

Journey of Brotherhood

Gonzaga students are fortunate to be surrounded by a loyal community of alumni, parents, and friends who support them during their educational journey on Eye Street. To learn more about opportunities to give—and the impact your gift has on each and every student—browse this site or contact the Advancement Office at 202-336-7100. Thank you for helping us to fulfill our mission of forming Men for Others.

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Peter Baggetta, Head Coach

Coach Baggetta has been coaching Rugby for 18 years and has been the head coach at Gonzaga since 2009. He led Gonzaga to National Championship titles in 2014, 2015, and 2016—marking the first time that any high school won three straight National Championships.

Coach Baggetta has worked with teams at all levels both in the United States and around the world. He was the assistant coach for the US Women’s National team at the 2017 and 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cups and was the former National Team Coach and Rugby Development Officer for Guam, where he was instrumental in creating the national team program and establishing Rugby as a varsity interscholastic sport for middle and high schools. He also worked as the defense specialist coach for USA Rugby from 2008 to 2010, and as an IRB coach educator for the USA Rugby Coach Development Program from 2007 to 2011. In 2009, Coach Baggetta was the Assistant Director of Rugby at Penn State University. A member of Gonzaga’s faculty, Coach Baggetta is the school’s Director of the Center for Academic Excellence and also teaches AP Psychology.

Assistant Coaches

Pat Murphy, Assistant Coach

Coach Murphy has been coaching Rugby at Gonzaga since 2011, and has been working with the forwards on the Varsity Purple team since 2016. Murphy played flanker at Walt Whitman High School, then went on to play both back row and scrum at Catholic University. After college, he joined the Marine Corps and played rugby at both Camp Lejeune and New River, NC. A lawyer, Murphy works for GE Healthcare.